Explosions in the Sky: All of a Sudden I Miss EveryoneAll of a Sudden I Miss Everyone (2007)Temporary Residence

Reviewer Rating: 4

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Contributed by: AubinAubin(others by this writer | submit your own)Published on February 23rd 2007When I heard that Explosions in the Sky sold 50,000 copies of their previous album, the wonderful The Earth Is Not a Cold Dead Place, I was both surprised and reassured. While the band sticks to a remarkably tried and true formula, they represent the antithesis of what one would imagine to be easily.

When I heard that Explosions in the Sky sold 50,000 copies of their previous album, the wonderful The Earth Is Not a Cold Dead Place, I was both surprised and reassured. While the band sticks to a remarkably tried and true formula, they represent the antithesis of what one would imagine to be easily packaged music: songs that run 7-10 minutes, no vocals, blurry press photos. Though they've become the poster boys for "post-rock," the band is really best described as instrumental crescendo rock; each song establishes a delicate melodic pattern, builds on it and then explodes in a wave of muscular distortion.

This newest album does nothing to break from this formula, with each of the songs following this pattern. Though this might sound like a criticism, it's no more a failing than it is for a band to write a song with a chorus. Like the cliché says, "it's what you do with it that counts." From the opening song which layers a wavering lead over bass feedback through the closer which is piano-driven and orchestral in its arrangement, Explosions in the Sky do quite a lot with what they have.

If anything, Miss Everyone is best described as a refinement of everything they've done so far. Melodies are more pervasive, nuanced layers of sound are both atmospheric and enveloping and noodling is at an all-time low. While The Earth suffered from some aimless moments in the second half of the album, Everyone is as tight as one could expect a six-song, 43-minute album to be.

When reviewing Isis' Panopticon, I described that record as a series of short stories. Just as Isis is to narrative, Explosions in the Sky are to the score. The similie became reality as the band was tasked with scoring the film and series Friday Night Lights and few bands could be more appropriate. The band seems to develop each song like a miniature movie, with the first moments introducing the characters, creating tension and following a dramatic art to its inevitable and satisfying conclusion.

The end result is that this album will engage fans, impress outsiders and relax almost anyone. What it won't do is satisfy the many critics so focused on progression that they lose sight of the song. But thankfully, those are the only people who will miss out.

Explosions start this album out like a bat out of hell, and seem to keep a good momentum throughout the whole album. Personally I think this is their best effort yet, narrowly besting Earth is not a Dead Cold Place.

This album is good, but they'll never write a song anywhere near as good as 'The Only Moment We Were Alone' ever again

Anonymous (February 24, 2007)

my only gripe with this album is that some songs are FAR better than others. take the first song and third song for example, none of the others even come close to those. plus the second half of the album is nowhere near as good as the first.

i like how members of lift of experience are posting about their band in the third person

anyhoo, the eits album is fucking great. the remixes are a nice touch too and as always, great art!

Anonymous (February 24, 2007)

That Lift to experience double cd is pretty good. You can definitely hear how Explosions in the Sky were influenced by that band. But in my opinion, any concept record about Texas being the center of Jerusalem is going to kick ass. I love the one part where the band makes a deal with God in exchange for a hit.

The singer of that band is supposed to release a solo cd soon. I am looking forward to that, he he did a split 7" with The Dirty Three that was damn good. He covered "So Lonesome I could Cry", and he really did that song justice much in the same way Cash and Cave did.

i just got into this band a month ago or so, but "the world is not a cold dead place" has quickly established itself as one of my favorite records. for anyone who knows this genre, can you recomend me any other similarly minded bands worth looking into?

Anonymous (February 23, 2007)

this isn't a blog-buzz band and this record is great. one of the most consistent bands in the past 5-6 years.

At a time when punknews-ers seem more critical than ever before, it's awesome to see this be the top review, and be generally well liked.

Anonymous (February 23, 2007)

justin broadrick's remix of Pelican's "Angel Tears" is worth far more than a damn. I can't wait to hear his remix from this record.

Anonymous (February 23, 2007)

kinda surprised brian didnt review hot cross

Anonymous (February 23, 2007)

Good album...
and i also second the fact that Do make say think's new album is really good. They even have two songs where vocals dominate the track, which is something they have never experimented with. It almost sounds like sufjan stevens at parts

Years of punk and hardcore have seriously screwed up my attention span. I can certainly respect what these guys are doing, and admire them as musicians, but in all honesty, it bores the hell out of me.

Anonymous (February 23, 2007)

Why are these guys just blowing up now, this is easily their weakest release.

Anonymous (February 23, 2007)

Dissapointing to say the least. I guess it's hard to stay creative in this genre. All the songs sound familiar. Also, never quite understood remixes. Has there ever been a remix thats worth a damn?

Wait wait, danperrone didn't bash it, what the fuck is going on?! On a serious side note this album is impressive as shit

Anonymous (February 23, 2007)

I haven't heard all of this cd yet, but it is a damn good cd so far. "..Cold place" was an excellent cd, but something about "...The Truth" always blows my mind when I listen to it. It is my favorite of theirs.

first off, this album is fucking insanely amazing and is the best post rock album since, well...the earth is not a cold dead place

second...since i've gotten into this and played it to shit, the earth is not a cold dead place is slightly less interesting to me...still amazing, but this just may be on the same level

third, the first two minutes of this record could be the greatest first two minutes of any record ever...THE DESTRUCTION!!!

last...aubin, i disagree with your first paragraph...if anything, it DOESN'T follow the linear pattern of their last album and of typical post rock...na mean? i think they did a great job of breaking away from that on this album